A CLOVENFORDS resident is calling on hardy Peeblesshire souls to give wild swimming a try.

Katherine Paul is hoping to attract as many as she can to brave the freezing temperatures and dive into lakes and rivers around the region.

And the 30-year-old says the sport has many benefits and people of all ages can give it a go.

She said: “I have been swimming all my life really. I have done it since growing up in Lilliesleaf and just continued to do it ever since. 

“The wild swimming started when I met a group of channel swimmers when I was in Kent. It helps my chronic back pain and lifts my mood after difficult times at work.”

And the palliative care nurse wants other people to experience the joys of the sport.

She added: “It was my grandfather who taught me to swim in the sea and I want other people to experience it.

“In winter the water is under five degrees and you can swim up to 20 minutes in cold water. You can complete an ice mile in 35.

“It’s important that you know all the safety precautions and you know the water you’re getting into. There aren’t any official groups here in the Borders, but there are a few of us that meet up and do it together.”

The group take on the likes of St Mary’s loch, loch of the lowes, Cauldshiels Loch, Stantling Craig as well as the Tweed.

“Anyone can give it a go,” she added. 

“One of the women who swam an ice mile was 70. I want to tell people to get in touch and give it a go.”  

To find out more, visit the Scottish Borders Open Water Swimming Group and Wild Swimming Borders Facebook pages or www.outdoorswimming society.com